In 2006 we'd be calling the bungals our biggest rival in the AFCN, I'd have laughed in your face and told you to go sit down and toss back a few more

Funny how times change huh... The ratbirds are a sorry excuse for a team with a group full of dealers, users, and jailbirds.

The Clowns are in the middle of rebuilding and cant keep anybody healthy for anything longer than a few games at a time.

The bengals, even though Palmer is hurt right now..are still the biggest rival in terms of game day excitement. Funny how things work out huh, especially when you beat a team who won your division and then go on to win the Super Bowl....and yet they still cant accept defeat.

I think I would have believed it because the Bengals have been building for years as have the Colts. I felt long ago that their day was coming..........as is the Detriot Lions.
It may sounds silly now, but give them a few years..............give any team a few years. There is so much talent out there on the college level alone, that it is not surprising that all teams are in contention for and could one day be a sb team.
Lyn:)

The Browns are still our biggest rival. There is a difference between looking forward to playing a team one season, and actually being a rival. While the Browns competition has not been the same lately, those games are always physical, and we always have that game circled on our schedule.

While the Bengals games are fun, and they have gotten heated a bit lately, they are still not our rival. A lot more goes into being a team's biggest rival than a couple of heated games in one season.

If you did tell me that the Bengals would be competing with us and winning the AFC North, I would believe it. There is so much parity in the league today that a team can go from drafting first to last in a matter of a couple years, and vice versa.

The Browns are still our biggest rival. There is a difference between looking forward to playing a team one season, and actually being a rival. While the Browns competition has not been the same lately, those games are always physical, and we always have that game circled on our schedule.

While the Bengals games are fun, and they have gotten heated a bit lately, they are still not our rival. A lot more goes into being a team's biggest rival than a couple of heated games in one season.

If you did tell me that the Bengals would be competing with us and winning the AFC North, I would believe it. There is so much parity in the league today that a team can go from drafting first to last in a matter of a couple years, and vice versa.

Excellent Post! The Browns are our rival, the Bengals are a team to look forward to playing .............far from a "biggest" rival but in Blitz's defense I think he clearly stated that it is fun to play the Bengals and did not infer that the Bengals are the Steeler's biggest rivals. The Bengals will never catch up with the Browns in a biggest rival, never ever, that is something that will NOT happen, EVER. They may someday become a "feared" rival (if the Steeler's FEAR anyone team)...lol but they have a long way to go to prove that too.......maybe someday, it is possible just not probable. The Steelers are the team to beat.

It all depends on how you define the term, "rival"..if you are talking about just pure hatred and disgust for a team, and having a game that is ugly, hard hitting and complete smack down fest, then I'd say its a toss up between the ratbirds and clowns. But as far as rival for tough, close, hard fought, nail biting games...then the pats are a very good candidate, good call cleve. You can put the bungals in that now as well IMO.